34 | APRIL 14 • 2022
T
he Detroit Public
Schools Foundation has
launched the Pernick
Prize, an annual merit-based
award of $15,000 each year
for two Detroit Public Schools
Community District (DPSCD)
students in mathematics and
medicine.
Endowed by former DPS
Foundation board member and
pathologist Dr. Nat Pernick,
M.D., the hope is to motivate
and inspire DPSCD students
to excel and raise the stature
of DPSCD in these important
fields while recognizing excep-
tional performances.
Pernick, an ardent supporter
and believer in the power of
mathematics and science edu-
cation, said students of Detroit’s
schools deserve financial sup-
port for both their educational
goals and career pursuits.
Pernick previously set up
a scholarship program for
DPSCD students which is
still ongoing, Detroit College
Promise, and hopes the Pernick
Prize can complement it.
“I think it’s important to
inspire and motivate students to
be the best they can be,
” Pernick
said. “I’m hoping this is just
another grain of sand on the
pile of improving education in
Detroit.
”
The Pernick Prize Selection
Committee includes experts
in mathematics and medicine
along with DPSCD and DPS
Foundation staff. Awards will be
presented during the inaugural
annual ceremony on April 29.
“Dr. Pernick’s generosity and
this unique opportunity for
students speak to his commit-
ment by contributing to a rich
educational experience and
leveling the playing field,
” said
Pamela J. Moore, president and
CEO of the DPS Foundation
via press release. “We’re excited
to showcase the phenomenal
achievements of our students
and to reward them as they
pursue their dreams.
”
Pernick said the award helps
the winning students directly
in paying for college and other
educational expenses.
“I’m hoping other students
will spend more time and
focus in these areas, as well as
education in general,
” he said.
“
And another motivating fac-
tor, maybe some schools will
improve their programs, maybe
we’ll have a math club, science
OUR COMMUNITY
Awards will be presented during the
inaugural annual ceremony on April 29.
Dr. Nat Pernick Endows
Award for Detroit Students
DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER
T
he Frankel Jewish
Academy team for this
year’s Maimonides
Moot Court Competition
earned first place among
the seven teams competing
on April 3 in the Cardozo
Division of the MMCC
Virtual Competition.
This year, participating
students were tasked with
answering the question: Is
online shaming permissible
for a greater cause?
The students prepared both
written and oral presentations
by meeting weekly, since the
beginning of the school year,
and did additional preparation
outside of school. Their
response to the question was
based on their study and
analysis of traditional Jewish
texts, including the Bible and
Talmud, and commentaries
spanning 2,000 years.
The FJA team participated
in the Cardozo Division, in
which teams are provided
the Jewish sources, from
which they choose which
ones to include in their
presentations. Some schools/
teams participated in an
in-person competition, held
near Baltimore on March 27.
The FJA competed against
six other teams — two from
Israel, and four separate teams
from a Jewish school in San
Diego.
Team members included
Evan Weitzman ’23 (captain),
Samantha Caminker ’24, Eliyah
Fradkin ’24, and Esti Klein
’24 with Rabbi Elliot Pachter
as the team advisor. All team
members participated last year,
and Evan Weitzman is now
a three-year MMCC veteran.
They have learned a lot from
their past experiences, and
their hard work paid off this
year.
FJA
Teams from Frankel Jewish Academy
won awards in two competitions.
Mazel Tov, FJA Students
The team who delivered the third-
place presentation at the Technion
Robotraffic competition.